"At times such as these, there is plenty to be said in favor of David Stern's gag orders.

For as ragged as the quality has been during this post-lockout, compressed NBA schedule, we've heard very little from team management or players about this four-month grinder.

Then again, it's not as if they have all that much to complain about.

Even as they sit, the players still are getting paid.

Get the FREE Miami Hoops iPhone and Android app

Even as they offer second-rate lineups, the teams still are collecting full face value on tickets.

The undeniable losers in this maybe-you-see-'em, maybe-you-don't season are the paying public, fans who don't know from game to game what they might be seeing, whether it's a five-game homestand without Dwyane Wade, a Friday visit by the New York Knicks without Carmelo Anthony or a Wednesday trip to Milwaukee where Andrew Bogut will be in a suit instead of suited up."